Get data from an open Excel file

[kaguilarq]

Hello team,

Looking for your help on this.

I have a shared Excel file online. This file needs to be opened 24/7, since it will be edited by people in different time zones.

Power BI Desktop is using that file as Data Source.

The Excel file can be edited by multiple people at the same time, however, for PowerBI to get the new data recently added (meaning for the file to be updated), I must close the Excel file, even if Auto Save in the Excel file is on (as is online). Then, I can hit refresh in Power BI and get the new info.

Goal: I need PowerBI to get the new data even if the Excel file is opened.

Request: is this possible? If not, could you offer me a workaround (even if I have to change my data source?)

Thanks!

[Greg_Deckler]

@kaguilarq Every time I have ever tried to get data into Power BI from an open Excel file it fails. Perhaps you could create a Power Automate workflow that periodically copies the file and use the copy as the data source

[KNP]

Based on the tests I've just done, Power BI refreshes the data fine when the file is open and only relying on auto save.

Why do you need to close the file for the refresh to work? Are you getting errors when the file is open?